I took a few weeks of from publishing my picks, but now I'm back, and hopefully better than I've been doing. Quite the up-and-down year for some teams. I guess parity-especially in the NFC-is the word to be used. While 3-3, I love what the Redskins are showing every week. They have such incredible heart and they are never out of the game. Last Sunday night it was awesome to see them battling the Colts with a shot at winning. If McNabb's last pass goes about a foot higher, I think Joey Galloway scores the game-winner.
My dog Bo made friends with a cat last night, so if that can happen, just about anything is possible in the NFL on a week-to-week basis. With that, on to the picks.
Last Week: 7-7 straight up (51-39 to date) 4-9 vs. the spread (36-53 to date)
Washington Redskins at
Chicago Bears
Line: Bears -3
The Redskins give up a ton of yards, but the Bears have given up 16 sacks in the past two weeks. I look for Brian Arakpo (5 sacks) to give the Bears fits and cause at least one fumble. The Skins have knocked out Michael Vick, Aaron Rodgers and Joseph Addai in consecutive weeks; Jay Cutler will need to keep his head on a swivel to keep it on. After facing Peyton Manning last week, it feels easier for the Redskins' defense this week-even on the road. Redskins 24-14.
Fantasy player to watch: Redskins D
Pittsburgh Steelers at
Miami Dolphins
Line: Steelers -3
James Harrison goes old school with a leather helmet to help avoid head-to-head contact, but Big Ben is back and the offensive balance with Rashad Mendenhall and the running game is too much for the Dolphins.
Steelers 24-13
Fantasy player to watch: Ben Roethlisberger
Cleveland Browns at
New Orleans Saints
Line: Saints -13.5
The Saints are tickled with Chris Ivory's performance last week and they have scored over 30 points in the last two games. The Browns revolving door at quarterback lands at Colt McCoy, who didn't fire blanks at the Steelers last week, but he can't get into a shootout with the Saints and win. I think the Browns running game (if Peyton Hillis plays) keeps it fairly close. Saints 34-20
Fantasy player to watch: Drew Brees
Cincinnati Bengal at
Atlanta Falcons
Line: Falcons -4
The Jekyll-and-Hyde Falcons are surely a mystery and the Bengals are coming off a bye week. That bye week usually helps, but the Falcons are at home and they win the quarterback battle with Carson Palmer continuing to struggle. Falcons 21-19
Fantasy player to watch: Roddy White
Jacksonville Jaguars at
Kansas City Chiefs
Line: Chiefs -3.5
The Jags have quality wins against Denver and Indianapolis, but have looked horrid against San Diego, Philadelphia and Tennessee. The Chiefs' defense holds opponents to an average of under 100 yards rushing a game, which doesn't bode well for MJD owners. Trent Edwards didn't get it done in Buffalo and this is not his week, either. Chiefs 27-21
Fantasy player to watch: Dwayne Bowe
Philadelphia Eagles at
Tennessee Titans
Line: Titans -3.5
Kevin Kolb has enough time to spread the ball around and the Eagles' D keeps Chris Johnson in check long enough to pull out the road win. A nice farewell to the starting job for Kolb. Eagles 21-17 Fantasy player to watch: Jeremy Maclin
Baltimore Ravens at
Buffalo Bills
Line: Ravens -13.5
I said anything can happen, but not this game, this week. The Ravens blew a 10-point lead at the Patriots last week, but the Bills might struggle with Boise State this year. The Ravens' D hammers them hard and the Bills have the league's worst run defense. The perfect rebound game for Flacco and the boys.
Ravens 27-10
Fantasy player to watch: Ray Rice
San Francisco 49ers at
Carolina Panthers
Line: 49ers -3
The Niners notched their first win last week against a bad Raiders team and face a worse Carolina team, and that's why this game scares me. The Panthers return to Matt Moore under center, but with an anemic running game and no Steve Smith to throw to, how will the Panthers score points? 49ers 31-13
Fantasy player to watch: Frank Gore
St. Louis Rams at
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Line: Bucs -2.5
The Rams have yet to win a road game and it won't happen this week. The game should come down to the wire, but the home crowd helps the Bucs gut it out. Bucs 21-20
Fantasy player to watch: Steven Jackson
Arizona Cardinals at
Seattle Seahawks
Line: Seahawks -3.5
In the wide-open NFC West, the battle pitting two 3-2 teams may go a long way to deciding the division later on. Will the Cards have a (Max) Hall of fame or Hall of shame at game's end? The 'Hawks average 27 points at home and the Cardinals haven't scored over 13 points on the road, so, Seahawks 27-13
Fantasy player to watch: Marshawn Lynch
New England Patriots at
San Diego Chargers
Line: Chargers -3
The Chargers will be without Antonio Gates and Malcolm Floyd, and with the Patriots in town, the Chargers need all hands on deck. The Chargers' slide continues and Norv's job gets less and less secure. Patriots 30-17
Fantasy player to watch: Danny Woodhead
Oakland Raiders at
Denver Broncos
Line: Pick'em
The Broncos come off a month's worth of a murderer's row schedule with a respite against the Raiders who aren't as good as their 2-4 record would indicate. Kyle Orton should continue to put up numbers and they get back on track. Broncos 26-10
Fantasy player to watch: Sebastian Janikowski
Minnesota Vikings at
Green Bay Packers
Line: Packers -3
The Packers have struggled against everybody except the Bills, and nobody struggles against the Bills. This will be the week the Vikings lose and the implosion begins to start. Packers 28-24
Fantasy player to watch: Adrian Peterson
New York Giants at
Dallas Cowboys
Line: Cowboys -3
I hate the Cowboys and never pick them on principle, but the Giants are rolling after a slow start and the Cowboys are the latest speed bump. Tony Romo has been throwing for a lot of yards, but will he have time against a nasty Giants front line? With a loss, the Cowboys won't have to worry about playing the Super Bowl at home. Giants 34-21
Fantasy player to watch: Eli Manning
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